Microvascular flow and tissue oxygenation after major abdominal surgery: association with post-operative complications.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between global oxygen delivery (DO(2)I), microvascular flow and tissue oxygenation in patients who did and did not develop complications following major abdominal surgery.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Post-operative critical care unit.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients receiving standard peri-operative care following major abdominal surgery.


RESULTS
Data were collected before, and for 8 h after surgery. DO(2)I was measured by lithium dilution and arterial waveform analysis. Cutaneous PtO(2) was measured at two sites on the abdominal wall using a Clark electrode. The sublingual microcirculation was visualised using sidestream darkfield imaging. Cutaneous red cell flux was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry. Fourteen patients (56%) developed complications with two deaths. Small vessel (<20 microm) microvascular flow index in those patients who developed complications was lower before (P < 0.05) and after surgery (P < 0.0001) compared to patients who did not develop complications. Both the proportion and density of perfused small vessels were also lower in patients who developed complications after surgery (P < 0.01) but not before surgery. DO(2)I was low in all patients but did not differ between patients who did and did not develop complications. Similarly, there were no associated differences in cutaneous red cell flux or PtO(2).


CONCLUSIONS
In a group of patients with low DO(2)I following major abdominal surgery, microvascular flow abnormalities were more frequent in patients who developed complications. However, there were no differences in DO(2)I, cutaneous PtO(2) or red cell flux between the two groups. Impaired microvascular flow may be associated with the development of post-operative complications.
Jhanji
Shaman
S
William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK.
Lee
Clement
C
Watson
David
D
Hinds
Charles
C
Pearse
Rupert M
RM
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000368:Aged; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000098:blood supply; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D014463:Ultrasonography
D010100:Oxygen